Dense crowds of people decked out in maple leaves and waving a sea of Canadian flags put their elbows up for Canada on Saturday at Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto to push back against U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs and his threat to make Canada the 51st state. The rally, dubbed "Elbows up, Canada!" aimed to call on Canadians to unite to defend national sovereignty and dignity and oppose the U.S. imposition of tariffs on goods imported from Canada as well as Trump's remarks threatening Canada's sovereignty, according to organizers. "I am a proud Canadian and I believe that we have to stand up for our country, our way of life, our parliamentary system, our legal system, our bilingualism, our multiculturalism for our indigenous people. And it's under threat from the United States, from the administration of the United States. I think the threat of annexation is real. I think it's in the mind of President Trump, that annexation is a distraction from the real problems of America. And there are real problems, there's no doubt about it," said Doug Bennett, a demonstrator. The hockey phrase "elbows up", which originated with the legendary player Gordie Howe, became a national rallying cry this month after Canadian actor and comedian Mike Myers, clad in a "Canada is not for sale" T-shirt, mouthed the words when performing on Saturday Night Live. "It's a hockey term for when you want to get rough in the game. It's symbolic for, 'we will defend ourselves'," said Andrew, a demonstrator who showed the hockey defense gesture. "I believe that Canadians are resilient and we're ready to defend our country," said Salmon, a young man holding a placard that read "Elbows up". The video shows: Toronto, Canada - March 22, 2025 1. Various of people waving Canadian national flags, chanting slogans, holding placards 2. SOUNDBITE (English) Doug Bennett, demonstrator: "Well, I am a proud Canadian and I believe that we have to stand up for our country, our way of life, our parliamentary system, our legal system, our bilingualism, our multiculturalism for our indigenous people. And it's under threat from the United States, from the administration of the United States. I think the threat of annexation is real. I think it's in the mind of President Trump, that annexation is a distraction from the real problems of America. And there are real problems, there's no doubt about it." 3. Various of buildings of Toronto City Hall; demonstrators waving Canadian national flag, holding placards 4. SOUNDBITE (English) Andrew, demonstrator (full name not given) (ending with shot 5): "It's a hockey term for when you want to get rough in the game. It's symbolic for, 'we will defend ourselves'." 5. Canadian national flag, demonstrators 6. Various of demonstrators holding national flags, placards 7. SOUNDBITE (English) Salmon, demonstrator (full name not given): "I believe that Canadians are resilient and we're ready to defend our country." 8. Various of demonstrators holding placard, waving national flags [Restrictions: No access Chinese mainland]